Zimbabwe were no match for the second-string Indian side. In the first ODI of the three-ODI series, the hosts lost to India by 10 wickets. It also marked Zimbabwe’s 13th consecutive ODI loss. This is Zimbabwe’s longest losing streak in the format against any side. After their historic win over Bangladesh, Zimbabwe were expected to put up a fight but the performance was far from expected.
Only one chance in the innings
Chasing a below-par target of 190 at Harare Sports Club, Indian openers Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill did not let Zimbabwe bowlers help their team come back in the game. The only surprise was skipper KL Rahul not coming to open as he could have used some practice before Asia Cup 2022.
Zimbabwe had a chance in the 13th over to dismiss Dhawan but the chance went down. After that, the run chase progressed flawlessly. Dhawan played with caution and got to his half-century from 76 deliveries. Gill was the faster of the two and reached the fifty-run mark from 51 deliveries. Gill played more aggressively and remained not out for 82 off 72 deliveries. His innings included 10 fours and one six. On the other end, Dhawan played 113 deliveries to score his 81 runs.
Record missed
The unbeaten 192-run partnership is India's second-highest opening partnership against Zimbabwe. The opening duo missed out on breaking Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar's record created at Sharjah in 1998. Ganguly-Tendulkar shared an unbeaten 197-run partnership in the run chase.
Chahar's brilliant return
Earlier, Rahul won the toss and opted to field first. Returning to the international arena after recovering from back injury, Deepak Chahar did not disappoint and destroyed
Zimbabwe's top order with the new ball. Mohammed Siraj with the new ball as well and Zimbabwe were reduced to 31/4 in the 11th over. None of Zimbabwe's top four batters crossed the double digits.
In-form Sikandar Raza did not shine either and became Prasidh Krishna's first victim of the day. Later, he got the wicket of Burl as well. In the middle overs, Axar Patel got the wickets of skipper Regis Chakabva and Luke Jongwe. In the 29th over, Zimbabwe were reduced to 110/8.
Record-breaking partnership
Brad Evans and Richard Ngarava saved Zimbabwe from further embarrassment with the bat. The tailenders kept Indian fielders in the sun longer than expected.
They shared a 70-run partnership for the ninth wicket. This is the highest ninth-wicket partnership for Zimbabwe against India in ODIs. Prasidh broke the partnership as Ngarava got out for a 42-ball 34. The no.11 batter Victor Nyauchi got out to Axar as Zimbabwe got all out for 189 in the 41st over. Evans remained not out for 29-ball 33 which included three fours and one six.
